Listen

Description

In this episode of the Lead to Soar podcast, Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher are joined by Tara Furiani, founder of Not the HR Lady, for a direct conversation about workplace behaviour that organisations excuse, minimise, or dress up as “culture.”

This is not a discussion about policies on paper. It is about what actually happens when leaders avoid conflict, HR plays defence, and harmful behaviour is allowed to persist because someone is “valuable.”

Together, they talk candidly about what leaders need to expect from HR, what HR must stop protecting, and why calling out workplace b******t is a leadership responsibility, not a personality trait.

Yes, the term Fuckeroni Pizza makes an appearance. It is funny because it is accurate.

In this episode, we cover

How leaders should work with HR to support women at work, not manage complaints away

Why HR must stop absorbing organisational risk on behalf of poor leadership

The behaviours organisations tolerate that drive women out

How “brilliant” performance is used to excuse unacceptable conduct

Why calling b******t is necessary for culture change, not a lack of professionalism

What accountability looks like when leaders actually mean it

Who this episode is for

Leaders who want HR to be a strategic partner, not a clean-up crew

HR professionals tired of being asked to defend the indefensible

Women navigating workplaces where behaviour is minimised until it becomes damage

Anyone done with performative values and ready for real standards

Resources

Not the HR Lady: https://www.notthehrlady.com

Leave a comment

If this episode was useful, there are three simple ways to go further:

Subscribe on Substack

This is now the home of the Lead to Soar podcast. Subscribers get new episodes, curated guidance from the back catalogue, and written insights to help you navigate leadership and career decisions with sound judgement.

Subscribe now

Explore the Lead to Soar Network

Lead to Soar is a leadership development network for ambitious women and for organisations serious about closing the leadership gender gap. Members get access to group coaching, practical leadership tools, and a network of women actively advancing their careers. Explore

Share the episode

If this resonated, share it with a colleague, manager, or friend who might need it. Leadership is shaped by what we notice, name, and talk about.

Share



Get full access to Lead to Soar Podcast at leadtosoarpodcast.substack.com/subscribe